Where to book a training?

IMI Assessment Training.

The IMI Assessment is a national voluntary scheme that tests the competency of refinishers working in bodyshops. Certain insurance companies require bodyshops to have a minimum of two accredited refinishers on their staff to obtain insurance approval. This also applies to professional bodyshops with BS10125 certification.

The Spies Hecker Training Academy in Welwyn Garden City is an IMI Approved Assessment Centre for both paint technician and senior paint technician levels. It prepares all candidates during a pre-assessment day to give them a good idea of what to expect in the test. Upon successful completion of the practical assessments and on-line knowledge test(s), Spies Hecker Training Academy is authorised to award IMI accreditation and to issue paint technicians with the IMI photo identity card, which is valid for three years.

IMI Cosmetic Repair Assessment

This course is open to refinishers whose job role involves the repair of vehicle exterior bodywork through the use of vehicle SMART / cosmetic repair techniques. They should be able to prove they are familiar with the skills, knowledge and techniques required for cosmetic repairs and should have a minimum of 2 years’ industry experience.

This Spies Hecker Cosmetic Repair Assessment is fully accredited by the IMI governing body and a certificate will be awarded upon completion.

Cosmetic Repair Route Structure:

For Technicians wishing to achieve accreditation there is only one method:
Full Assessment

For technicians wishing to retain their accreditation there is only one method:
Full Assessment

To achieve each module the technician is measured by skill and knowledge.

Candidates should bring safety footwear, as well as a copy of their photo driving licence or passport.

IMI Paint Technician Assessment

This course is open to refinishers who have at least two years of experience working in the accident repair industry.
They should be able to prove their knowledge, skills and technique in preparing panels and achieving a fault-free finish.

The Spies Hecker Training Academy will test candidates’ skills in the following five modules:

Candidates should be able to clean the panel to remove any unwanted surface covering such as polishes/chemicals/dirt by polishing the panel, in order to start the repair process and apply the paint top coat(s). Candidates will need to follow the Technical Data Sheets (TDS) to ensure that the products are used in the correct manner.

Polish Panel (existing)

AOM 014

This module tests the candidates’ ability to identify the vehicle paint type and use the vehicle information (paint code etc.) together with the paint manufacturer’s information to ensure that the correct paint and the colour variant are selected, so that the paint is accurately matched to the vehicle. This requires the correct visual identification of the variant of the vehicle colour in the correct light and the use of data from various sources.

Colour Identification and Colour Variant

AOM 015

Candidates need to demonstrate they can prepare an existing panel that has paint surface faults, such as deep scratches, through to bare metal ready to receive foundation materials. This includes the removal of panel joint sealer and sufficient masking of the vehicle/panel to prevent contamination of other panel/vehicle areas. Candidates should be able to apply the panel foundation materials such as panel primer(s) to the repair area with the use of spray equipment and then be able to dry the materials in line with the product manufacturer’s specification. It will be necessary for candidates to select, carry out adjustments and use equipment during this module.

Surface Preparation

AOM 016

In this module, candidates have to identify, to select and to adjust the tools/equipment used in the flatting of a primed surface. Candidates should be able to use various masking techniques resulting in both soft and hard edges to protect other vehicle panel surfaces from accidental damage at all times. Candidates should be able to identify the quantity of materials required to avoid unnecessary waste and cost. Candidates will have to read and to understand the appropriate Technical Data Sheets to ensure that the materials are used as specified by the manufacturer. Once the panel has been flattened, it must be ready for the paint topcoat.

Primed Surface – Flatting

AOM 017

Candidates should be able to reinstate the sealer to a panel joint, matching the existing sealer and creating a seamless joint where the new sealer meets the existing sealer. Candidates will have to use the various tools and equipment necessary to carry out this operation including the use of a ‘power sealer’ gun and adjust/cut the various nozzles to be able to match the existing sealer. Candidates should be able to identify any panel bare metal surfaces and to use the appropriate products to reinstate them ready to be painted.

Panel Sealing

AOM 018

Assessment Duration:
One day.

Equipment:
All overalls, whites, personal protective equipment, course material for practical and theoretical sessions will be provided.
Candidates should bring safety footwear, as well as a copy of their photo driving licence or passport.

IMI senior paint technician Assessment

Senior paint technician accreditation assessment is available to refinishers with a minimum of three years experience in the industry. They must be able to demonstrate their ability to achieve a flawless finish both in panel preparation (existing and new) and when finishing panels to match existing vehicle paint.

This level requires candidates successfully to complete the following nine modules:

Candidates should be able to clean the panel to remove any unwanted surface covering such as polishes/chemicals/dirt by polishing the panel, in order to start the repair process and apply the paint top coat(s). Candidates will need to follow the Technical Data Sheets (TDS) to ensure that the products are used in the correct manner.

Polish Panel (existing)

AOM 014

This module tests the candidates’ ability to identify the vehicle paint type and use the vehicle information (paint code etc.) together with the paint manufacturer’s information to ensure that the correct paint and the colour variant are selected, so that the paint is accurately matched to the vehicle. This requires the correct visual identification of the variant of the vehicle colour in the correct light and the use of data from various sources.

Colour Identification and Colour Variant

AOM 015

Candidates need to demonstrate they can prepare an existing panel that has paint surface faults, such as deep scratches, through to bare metal ready to receive foundation materials. This includes the removal of panel joint sealer and sufficient masking of the vehicle/panel to prevent contamination of other panel/vehicle areas. Candidates should be able to apply the panel foundation materials such as panel primer(s) to the repair area with the use of spray equipment and then be able to dry the materials in line with the product manufacturer’s specification. It will be necessary for candidates to select, carry out adjustments and use equipment during this module.

Surface Preparation

AOM 016

In this module, candidates have to identify, to select and to adjust the tools/equipment used in the flatting of a primed surface. Candidates should be able to use various masking techniques resulting in both soft and hard edges to protect other vehicle panel surfaces from accidental damage at all times. Candidates should be able to identify the quantity of materials required to avoid unnecessary waste and cost. Candidates will have to read and to understand the appropriate Technical Data Sheets to ensure that the materials are used as specified by the manufacturer. Once the panel has been flattened, it must be ready for the paint topcoat.

Primed Surface – Flatting

AOM 017

Candidates should be able to reinstate the sealer to a panel joint, matching the existing sealer and creating a seamless joint where the new sealer meets the existing sealer. Candidates will have to use the various tools and equipment necessary to carry out this operation including the use of a ‘power sealer’ gun and adjust/cut the various nozzles to be able to match the existing sealer. Candidates should be able to identify any panel bare metal surfaces and to use the appropriate products to reinstate them ready to be painted.

Panel Sealing

AOM 018

This module’s aim is to determine whether candidates can accurately identify the panel substrate before undertaking any preparation. Candidates will be required to select the materials and equipment required to carry out the preparation process – this will include reviewing Material Safety and Technical Data Sheets. Once the surface of the panel is sufficiently clean and free from contamination, the panel should be ready to accept foundation materials.

Panel Preparation (new)

AOM 019

Candidates will need to show they can apply wet-on-wet primers to a new panel. Once the surface of the panel is sufficiently clean and free from contamination, it should be ready to accept the primer. Candidates will be required to select the materials, information and equipment required to carry out the preparation and application of primers. Candidates will be required to follow all appropriate health and safety procedures and wear the necessary personal protection equipment during the assessment. They must also ensure that all the equipment used during the assessment is cleaned and stored correctly on completion of the task.

Wet-on-Wet Primer

AOM 020

Candidates need to show their ability to use suitable techniques to apply 3 Stage Pearlescent Paint. Paint technicians will be required to select the materials and equipment required to carry out the preparation process. This will include reviewing Material Safety and Technical Data Sheets. Once the surface of the panel is sufficiently prepared, clean and free from contamination, the panel should be ready to accept the 3 Stage Pearlescent paint process. Candidates will need to select the correct paint type, colour and variant to achieve a compatible paint match with existing paintwork and a fault-free finish. Candidates will be required to ensure adherence to all appropriate health and safety procedures and wear the necessary personal protection equipment during the assessment.

3 Stage Pearlescent Paint

AOM 021

Candidates should be able to identify a range of faults(s) in vehicle paint applied to different panels (plastic, steel, aluminium and composite), whether the panel has been freshly painted or is an existing painted panel. Candidates must identify the paint defect, its cause and the procedure required to rectify the fault. Candidates should have a good knowledge of the materials, products and methods used in refinishing of painted panels (plastic, steel, aluminium and composite).

Paint Defects & Rectification Procedure

AOM 023

All modules will be tested under exam conditions. In order to obtain accreditation, candidates must achieve a minimum of 65 per cent in each module.

Assessment Duration:
Two days.

Equipment:
All overalls, whites, personal protective equipment, course material for practical and theoretical sessions will be provided.
Candidates should bring safety footwear, as well as a copy of their photo driving licence or passport.

Re-accreditation for paint technicians

Reaccreditation
Paint technicians who require re-accreditation before expiry of their previous IMI accreditation can take part in a one-day assessment covering three modules:

Paint technician reaccreditation modules:

Candidates need to demonstrate they can prepare an existing panel that has paint surface faults, such as deep scratches, through to bare metal ready to receive foundation materials. This includes the removal of panel joint sealer and sufficient masking of the vehicle/panel to prevent contamination of other panel/vehicle areas. Candidates should be able to apply the panel foundation materials such as panel primer(s) to the repair area with the use of spray equipment and then be able to dry the materials in line with the product manufacturer’s specification. It will be necessary for candidates to select, carry out adjustments and use equipment during this module.

Surface Preparation

AOM 016

Candidates should be able to reinstate the sealer to a panel joint, matching the existing sealer and creating a seamless joint where the new sealer meets the existing sealer. Candidates will have to use the various tools and equipment necessary to carry out this operation including the use of a ‘power sealer’ gun and adjust/cut the various nozzles to be able to match the existing sealer. Candidates should be able to identify any panel bare metal surfaces and to use the appropriate products to reinstate them ready to be painted.

Panel Sealing

AOM 018

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to prepare an existing panel. This includes the identification of the substrate of the panel (steel, aluminium, plastic) and the products that are used to rectify the damage including use of panel joint sealer, masking materials, panel cleaning materials, foundation materials, the necessary tools and equipment. Candidates will determine the materials needed in line with the product manufacturer’s specification.

Identification of Substrate and Product(s)

AOM 025

Senior paint technician reaccreditation modules:

This module’s aim is to determine whether candidates can accurately identify the panel substrate before undertaking any preparation. Candidates will be required to select the materials and equipment required to carry out the preparation process – this will include reviewing Material Safety and Technical Data Sheets. Once the surface of the panel is sufficiently clean and free from contamination, the panel should be ready to accept foundation materials.

Panel Preparation (new)

AOM 019

Candidates should be able to identify a range of faults(s) in vehicle paint applied to different panels (plastic, steel, aluminium and composite), whether the panel has been freshly painted or is an existing painted panel. Candidates must identify the paint defect, its cause and the procedure required to rectify the fault. Candidates should have a good knowledge of the materials, products and methods used in refinishing of painted panels (plastic, steel, aluminium and composite).

Paint Defects & Rectification Procedure

AOM 023

This module ensures that the candidates are able correctly to identify the vehicle colour - as well as the shade of colour - and to apply the paint. Candidates will be required to prepare the panel defect (small paint defect) through to the acceptance of the final application of vehicle paint. Using their skill and expertise, candidates will also “fade out” the repainting of a section of a panel into the existing vehicle paint ensuring that the repaired section is undetectable. Candidates will be required to polish the repaired panel to provide a fault-free finish so the vehicle can be returned to the customer.